Robert and Laurie had originally planned their beach wedding for Friday, but with horrible weather forecast, they decided to postpone by a day. And Sacha was to be their photographer, but she was heading off the island so asked me to step in. The weather was a little better on the Saturday, still breezy and grey but at least there was no rain. But nothing was going to dampen Robert and Laurie's spirits anyway as they pledged their love and lives to each other.
Thank you for such a wonderful afternoon; it was an honour to be a part of your celebration.
Welcome and Call to the Celebration! We are here today to witness and celebrate the drawing together of Laurie and Robert so they may celebrate and consecrate their spiritual union. It is by their love and that of their Word that they will be united here today. And they wish to celebrate this passage in the presence of your love and support and to share their joy in each other with you.
Laurie and Robert, your union offers the highest and most intimate experience of love that we know. A growing bond of affection, trust and mutual concern can bring you into a fuller life than either of you could achieve alone. As you share with each other your individual differences, your life together can become richer, more complete, and more spiritually satisfying. A union in such a sense will entail a uniting on all the levels of your being: body and mind, heart and spirit. Then, the longer that you are together, the more you grow and develop together, the deeper will be your lives together in union.
Even now, love is calling for the best qualities deep within each of you, seeking to break down barriers, working through the self and celebrating breakthroughs.
This love opens a way of understanding and sensitivity and courage, enabling you to be more responsive to the desires and the needs of one another.
Remember always that love, loyalty, trust and integrity are the foundations of a lasting and happy union. As you strive to fulfill the commitment that you declare to one another here, your life together can be increasingly full of joy, satisfaction, and peace. I pray that you will hold fast to the vision and the promise of this special day.
Laurie: With these grains of Sand from the earth I offer you my dreams
Robert : We shall celebrate our dreams and create reality
Laurie: With this Water from the Sea I offer you my love
Robert: Your love is alive in me as my love is alive in you
Robert: With the Winds of the universe I offer you my soul
Laurie : My soul soars with yours
Robert : With this Fire forged ring I will unconditionally hold your hand through life
Laurie : I cherish you and unconditionally hold your hand through life.
Laurie : With this life I offer you my word which I promise to honor forever
Robert : With this life I offer you my word which I promise to honor forever
Together: Love is my word you are my Love
Prayer and the Seven Blessings
O Creator, may the miracle of your love bless Laurie's and Robert's union. Give them the willingness and patience to fulfill their commitments and honor their words to one another and fill them with joy and happiness.
Grant them the serenity to accept the things that they cannot change, courage to change the things they can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen
In celebration of our inter connectedness, we each offer these blessings. A blessing is created from the heart, comes with our love and support and becomes part of our word as human beings.
Each one of us will now offer a blessing, to complete the ceremony of seven blessings. All say Amen after each blessing.
Mary: May the power of love bring health and wellbeing throughout the universe. (Amen)
Robert: May we have wisdom in the ordering of our common lives that we may each be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, and companions in joy. (Amen)
Laurie: May we have the grace, if we hurt each other, to recognize our faults, and to seek each other's forgiveness. (Amen)
Aidan: May our lives be vessels of love and symbols of peace to our struggling world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal, and joy conquer despair. (Amen)
Mareva: May we be ever thoughtful and gentle, patient and forbearing, regardful of each other's feelings and opinions, and lenient to each other's infirmities. (Amen)
Rowan: Despite whatever challenges and struggles lie upon our paths, may we always find life good and worth celebrating. (Amen)
Kiki: May we discover deep fulfilment in love that we may always be inspired to reach out in love and concern for others. (Amen)
Pronouncement
With the promises they have made to one another, and by the power of their love which comes through their Word, Laurie and Robert have been joined in a spiritual union. They are now partners sharing one life from this day forward.
Final Blessing:
Mareva: Now you will feel no rain, for you will be shelter to the each other.
Aidan: Now you will feel no cold, for each will be warmth to the other.
Rowan: Now you will feel no loneliness, for each of you will be companionship to the other.
Kiara: Now you are two persons, but there is one life between you.
Mary: May your days be good and long upon the earth. Amen
In diversity let there be unity. In unity let there be love!
